Which DL Hotel About This Page:

[2tinks]

We are thing of going to DL in 2008 rather than WDW. We have never been to DL but would like to stay on property. Which is the best Disney hotel? It will be myself, DH, DD (4) and DD (2).

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[chezp]

The only one we've stayed at is the Disneyland Hotel and we really loved that - it's full of Disney theming and a really lovely place to stay.

[DopeyGirl]

I agree with Cheryl on that! The Grand Californian was very nice though as well, more "luxurious" if you will (especially in the price! )

Although the differences between staying "on-site" and "off-site" aren't too much. Most of the "off-site" hotels (Good Neighbor Hotels) are right across the street and within a short walking distance. Some even closer to the parks than the hotels on Disneyland property!

That said, next time we go back (summer 2008), as long as we can swing it (summer rates at the on-site hotels will be a bit higher) we plan on staying at the Disneyland Hotel!

[snoozin]

We've only stayed at DL hotel as well... and DD20 just stayed there last weekend (on us) and said it was amazing! She loved it. That would get my vote.

[snoozy]

We have been fortunate enough to have stayed at all three DLR hotels. If I had little ones like you do I would definately stay at the DLH. Its perfect for families like yours.

[duck addict]

With the children, I would be at DL Hotel. They will love the pool area.

[Caldercup]

The Grand Californian is wicked expensive, but very elegant. Also, despite being very close to DCA (with a private entrance), the way they direct you out into Downtown Disney before letting you enter the parks from the Esplanade is very circuitous and not at all convenient.

If I got a chance at staying on site again, I'd definitely go for the Disneyland Hotel.

That said, I think the off-site hotels are incredibly convenient and, as said above, the on-site perqs are minimal and not really worth the extra price. I stayed at the Fairfield (which is one of the farther away hotels) and it really wasn't that much walking! The Candy Cane Inn gets high marks!

Eileen

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at any of the DLR hotels.
The Disneyland Resort Hotel has beautiful grounds, a themed pool & a second pool with a sandy beach, playground, great restaurants, and larger rooms. The only draw back would be during inclement weather as the lobby, restaurants, and gift shop are housed in seperate buildings.
The Grand Californian is self-contained with a beautiful lobby, 2 pools...1 with a redwood tree themed water slide, great restaurants & food court, entrance directly into DCA & the shortest walking distance to DL, a great bar/lounge in the evening which is equally as great for morning coffee , and a favorite of mine...a storyteller by the huge fireplace where you can sit and relax in rockers or comfy chairs. A drawback here might be that the rooms are smaller than DLR.
Paradise Pier is also self-contained with a roof top pool and 2 reportedly good restaurants (neither of which I've dined at). The resort has no grounds to explore or enjoy and is the furthest from the parks, but it is a Disney resort where you can have a great Disney experience.
Whichever you choose...I'm sure you'll find all the positives and have a great time.

[seeboo]

I stayed at the DL hotel and the grand califorina. When I stayed at the DLH my DS was 4 and DD was 2. I really enjoyed the hotel nice and clean. The problem I found with this hotel is the location from the park. MY DD fell asleep during the fireworks so we had to carry her the whole way back to the hotel. We rented our strollers from DL. When at GCH it was alot closer to DL and not as far as a walk.

There are nice offsite hotels, onetime stayed at the Hilton nearby. There is a tram that picked up in front of the hotel and droped off near to DL. The fee was very reasonable something like 10 for 4 days. Just you had to wait for the tram and after the park closes it got a bit crowded.

Just FYI seeing you are traveling with young ones. The strollers at DL are diffrent than at WDW. I prefered the ones at WDW because there was room for 2 children as DL was 1 child only.

[kymma]

We prefer the DLH. It's just more "Disney" to us. Also the pool is great for kids.